The best side content in Horizon Forbidden West, Gauntlet Runs, are basically just Mario Kart - in a good way. The game offers a plethora of activities to complete outside of the game’s main storyline, and amongst these, the most unique offering are the Mario Kart-esque Gauntlet Runs. Atop a Charger, players race against a band of rebellious, unruly Tenakth youth, and the charming chaos that ensues is one of Forbidden West’s most unique experiences.

Horizon Forbidden West tries valiantly to offer varied side content, but most of the game’s new additions fail to offer players novel experiences. Salvage Contracts are essentially an altered form of errands, and Ancient Ruins don’t differ from the navigational puzzles offered by the game’s main storyline. Unlike Horizon Forbidden West’s side quests, many of these activities feel like busywork. In contrast, Gauntlet Runs don’t just take advantage of the game’s mountable machines, they build on existing mechanics to create a unique experience for players.

Related: Horizon Forbidden West’s Glider Is Already Better Than BOTW’s

Like Mario Kart, Horizon Forbidden West’s Gauntlet Runs allow players to sabotage their competitors with arrows, something akin to Mario Kart’s red shells. In Gauntlet Runs, players are also able to melee attack other racers, briefly knocking them out of commission. These features require players to frequently dodge attacks, and ensure no competitors remain within striking distance for long. Gauntlet Runs also contain mushroom-esque Blaze Boosts, which offer a burst of speed, and Shock Traps, which can temporarily disable riders on the player’s tail. By combining Horizon Forbidden West’s mountable machines with mechanics similar to Mario Kart’s, the developers behind Forbidden West were able to create an engaging, distinct experience that stands out from the rest of the game's content.

Forbidden West's Mario Kart-Style Gauntlet Runs Needed More Mounts

Gauntlet Runs, despite being the best side content Horizon Forbidden West has to offer, are not a flawless experience. Constantly recovering from other racers’ melee attacks can grow tiresome, and the game’s mount controls lack the intricacies of Mario Kart’s drifting and steering mechanics. Unlike Mario Kart, Gauntlet Runs don’t contain any options for mount customization. Although requesting this complex feature is an unfair ask when it comes to a mini-game, alternative mounts like Bristlebacks and Clawstriders are noticeably absent from Gauntlet Runs. Including them in a Gauntlet Run course would have allowed for more varied gameplay.

It may be that a future DLC for Horizon Forbidden West could expand Gauntlet Runs to include more varied mounts. Despite their flaws, Gauntlet Runs are an engaging activity, serving as a respite from the game’s perilous main storyline. Although many players might’ve missed them in their first playthrough, Gauntlet Runs are unique and exciting enough to warrant a return to Horizon Forbidden West.

Next: Horizon Forbidden West Missed Aloy’s Most Obvious New Weapon Choice